HASTINGS (STC/SNR) – Every five years, St. Cecilia middle and high school in Hastings (STC) undergoes a rigorous research-based evaluation by Cognia (formerly known as AdvancEd).
The most recent score showed a significant increase, rating STC well above the national average.
In January, the visitation team members reviewed a multitude of exhibits and conducted interviews via ZOOM of the school’s Unity Board, administration leadership, faculty, staff, parents and students over several days to gather their input on the effectiveness of the school’s total educational program.
Cognia’s key evaluation categories – known as domains – address the leadership’s fidelity to its purpose and direction – or “mission,” the degree to which the school offers and achieves an effective learning culture, as well as the utilization of resources to ensure that there are appropriate levels of funding to ensure both student and faculty effectiveness. Once completed, the assessment is represented by a score which schools can use to see how well they relate to other schools across the nation.
Based on evaluations of the past five years across the U.S., Cognia identified an average range of school scores to be between 278.34- 283.33 out of 400 possible points. In 2016, STC scored 269.74. Based on the January evaluation visit, STC’s score was 363.50, with STC receiving the highest possible score in 25 of the 30 indicators; the remaining five received the second-highest rating.
The 17-page report identified some key STC achievements and programs that impacted the excellent rating. The report complimented the work of the school’s Unity Board in having a formally adopted code of ethics, evidence of obtaining best-practices data, as well as clearly defined member roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities. Of particular note for the team was the recently concluded strategic planning process.
In the area of learning, the report highlighted the evidence of academic rigor and student achievement with a history of Regents and National Merit scholars, noting data analysis and the adoption of the Charlotte Danielson Framework as strong indicators of an overall implementation of learning methods and differentiated techniques to achieve student learner success.
The team was reportedly impressed with the degree of availability of career-readiness programs and cited the ACT Preparation Summer Camp, 8th grade programs reflecting Nebraska career standards, and the recently introduced Career Days program in which juniors and seniors visit local businesses to see first-hand the number of career options available in the local community as strong indicators for student success after graduation.
Two new STC initiatives captured the interest of the committee. Beginning in school year 2021-22, STC will introduce an agriculture education program for students interested in learning about career opportunities within the agricultural field. In addition, the school will continue its implementation of a “House system” which combines students from grades 6-12 for the mutual help, collaboration, and perspective each student can bring to the House.
